Locking mechanism for accordions



Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in accordions, and it is the principal object of my invention to provide a novel and improved locking mechanism for such instruments located within the same.

The mechanism for locking the accordion when not in use in the known instruments is located on the outside of the instrument and consists mainly of straps secured on the outside of the end parts which were provided with buttons or the like entering slots in the straps and frequently became loose and were apt to tear the clothing of the player, and inconvenient to manipulate.

My invention overcomes these disadvantages by locating the locking mechanism entirely within the instrument with the exception of a single operating lever on the outer side face of the instrument, preferably below the shoulder or arm strap.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a locking mechanism for the bellows of accordions of simple and inexpensive construction, yet durable and highly efcient in use, and one which does not interfere in any way with the playing mechanism.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a locking mechanism for accordions which can be attached conveniently and readily to any make of instruments now on the market without materially changing its construction.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become more fully known as the description thereof proceeds, and will then be specifically defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an accordion equipped with a locking mechanism constructed according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the accordion, parts being broken away to disclose the interior arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view of the locking mechanism per se.

As illustrated, a bracket I is attached by any suitable means passed through the openings II to the inner face of the end wall I2 of the instrument I 3, and carries a central sleeve or socket I4 through which extends a rod I5 horizontally disposed Within the instrument and extending through the end wall thereof to carry on the outside of the accordion an operating lever I6 or the like beneath the strap Il, which is shown broken away in Figure 1.

Intermediate its ends the rod I has attached' thereto a link I 8 angularly disposed to the rod I5; to the outer end of the link I8 is pivotally attached, as at I9, the upper end of an operating bar 20 preferably having a fiat contour, and vertically disposed within the instrument.

The lower end of bar 20 is pivotally attached, as at 2| to a link 22 secured to a horizontal rod the inner end of which is entered into a socket 24 of a fastening plate 25 secured by any well known means passed through openings 26 to the lower end of the end wall I 2 of the accordion.

The outer ends of rods I5 and.23 are hookshaped, as at 2l and 28 respectively, and engage the inner ends of substantially knee-shaped locking bars 29 and 30 respectively having dat engagement faces at their inner ends, while their outer ends are attached to brackets 3l 32 respectively attached to the upper and lower margins within the upper and lower Walls of the instrument.

In operation, it will only be necessary to turn the operating lever I6 to disengage or engage the hook parts 2l and 28 from or with the locking 20 members 29, 30, and the instrument will either be unlocked for playing or locked in its position of rest.

It will be understood that I have described and shown the preferred form of my device only as one example of the many possible ways to practically construct the same, and that I may make such changes in its general arrangement and in the construction of its minor details as come within the scope of the appended claims Without departure from the principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a locking mechanism for piano accordions, a bracket attached to the inner face of the end wall of the instrument, a central sleeve or socket carried by said bracket, a rod horizontally disposed within the instrument and extending through said socket and through the end wall of the instrument, an operating lever carried by said rod on the outside of the instrument beneath its carrying strap, a link angularly disposed to the rod and attached thereto intermediate its ends, a vertically disposed operating bar having a dat contour pivotally attached at its upper end to the outer end of said link, another link to which the lower end of said bar is pivotally attached, said link secured to a horizontal rod, a fastening plate having a socket into which is entered the inner end of said horizontal rod, and attached to the inner wall of the instrument, the outer ends of both of said rods hook-shaped to engage substantially knee-shaped locking bars having fiat engagement faces at their inner ends and secured at their outer ends to brackets within the instrument.

REINHOLD RIESCHICK. 

